Twenty years ago, if someone had told Yugoslav native Naser Behluli that by 2013 he would be an American citizen, a resident of Newtown and a successful hairdresser, he would have thought that person was out of his mind.

But he would have been wrong.

Behluli and his family have lived in Newtown since they entered the U.S. in 1992. Seven years after that, he became a citizen.

Earlier this month, he celebrated the 10th anniversary of his shop, Naser's Salon, Hair and Color Designs.

His achievements did not come easily. When he arrived in America, he spoke no English and did not have a job or car.

But, what he and his wife, Hidajete, and their children, Besmir and Kaltrina, did have was shelter from a bloody war in what was once Yugoslavia.